The New Style!
An alternate history timeline chronicling the development, effects and consequences of the Hip-Hop musical genre following a Point of Divergence in 1980.
The cover of Run-D.M.C.'s eponymous first album. Featuring the songs It's Like That and Sucker M.C.'s, the album (especially the aforementioned two songs) is widely regarded in our timeline as the genesis of the New School style of Hip-Hop.
Introduction
"And on the cool check in
Center stage on the mic
And we're puttin' it on wax
It's the new style ..."
- The New Style, from the Beastie Boys' 1986 album, Licensed to Ill
An alternate history timeline chronicling the development, effects and consequences of the Hip-Hop musical genre following a Point of Divergence in 1980.
The cover of Run-D.M.C.'s eponymous first album. Featuring the songs It's Like That and Sucker M.C.'s, the album (especially the aforementioned two songs) is widely regarded in our timeline as the genesis of the New School style of Hip-Hop.
Introduction
"And on the cool check in
Center stage on the mic
And we're puttin' it on wax
It's the new style ..."
- The New Style, from the Beastie Boys' 1986 album, Licensed to Ill
First showing its face in 1983 with Run-D.M.C.'s daring single, It's Like That/Sucker MCs, the New School style of Hip-Hop, characterised by preeminent drum beats leading otherwise minimalist instrumentals, and flavours of heavy metal and rock, would later grow and evolve to encompass all mainstream rap post-1990. From screeching taunts to heavy, complex lyricism, from musings about women and cars to opinionated socio-political commentary, the New School style of Hip-Hop would emerge as the one of the most influential forces of the millennial era's media. It was also destined to have far-reaching impacts across the American socio-political landscape, especially the African-American community, where the earth-shaking consequences of the New School were incontrovertible to the point where Hip-Hop became a lifestyle, not merely a form of music.
By the early 1980s, punters were already hedging their bets on the death of Hip-Hop. Little more than a slightly more lyric-heavy derivative of disco, from the instrumentals to the clothes worn by its performers, the only distinguishing aspect of the genre was the rapping. But even the newfangled idea of rapping was being appropriated into mainstream music, as demonstrated by Blondie's pop song Rapture. What Hip-Hop needed was a breath of fresh air, a catalyst and a distinct face-job. It got all these, plus more, in Run-D.M.C.'s first single, It's Like That/Sucker MCs. But what if this single had never been released? What if the development of the millennial era's most powerful cultural force was altered right from its birth? What if the New School never came into fruition in 1983?
- 13th of November, 1980. Two-Fifths Park, Hollis, New York City.
"Jazzy Jase" Mizell[1]. 18-year-old DJ extraordinaire of Two-Fifths Park. Friendly and charming guy. Excellent wardrobe and a daring sense of fashion. Proud representer of the tough-kid "B-Boy" attitude. Owner of a set of Technics SL-1200s. Owner of a set of Technics SL-1200s, which he was carrying in a large backpack at about 12:46am as he strolled down the quiet streets on his way home. As "Jazzy Jase" Mizell walked, he breathed in the warm scents of the Empire City. Tinges of industrial pollution, cured meats, old trash and grandma's underwear filled his nostrils. It was a particular smell that was akin to fresh espresso in the way that once its consumers acquired its taste, they soon found it addictive. The sounds too, were unique to the NYC: the rumble of late-night traffic, the gentle flicker of broken streetlights, the distant barks of dogs and foreign immigrants, the mewls of street cats and prostitutes, the pitter-patter of footsteps that were drawing a little too near. Wait.
Mizell swung around quickly. Illuminated by a streetlight, the ugly scowl of a hooded man in his mid-twenties stared at him through blood-shot eyes. In his hand was a knife. "Now kid" began the man, stepping forwards, "You'd be best off handin' me dat backpack, y'know?"
Mizell back-pedalled quickly, "H-hey now, I haven't g-got any money" he stuttered, holding his hands up defensively,
"Yer right" the man whispered, grinning foolishly, "Yer right son, yer right. Jus' gimme da bag. Now!"
Mizell scrambled to take the bag off his shoulders, "C'mon man" he pleaded to the man, "Don't take my bag, its all I got!"
"Yer right" the man said again, "Yer right!" He quickly jumped forward to grab the bag, but Mizell acted first: He turned his back and attempted to dash away from his would-be mugger. Which would have been fine-and-dandy, if the mugger hadn't managed to grab a hold of one of the bag-straps.
"Now you've gorn an' done it" the rough voice said from behind him. "Jazzy Jase" Mizell gulped.
***
"Jazzy Jase" Mizell's unconscious body was found the next day by a pedestrian on a morning run. Badly beaten and having received stab wounds from his mugger's knife, "Jazzy Jase" Mizell would be hospitalised for six months. And when he did leave hospital, it was with a crippled left arm and no Technics SL-1200s. Therefore, Mizell sadly gave up on his DJing pastime, choosing instead to invest his next few years pursuing a bachelor's degree in Media Arts. But the mugging of Mizell didn't just effect the poor aspirant DJ himself, it set fire to the dreams of Joseph "Run" Simmons and Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels. With no DJ and no-one to facilitate their love for Hip-Hop[2], the two's Hip-Hop career was temporarily stunted. In the short term at least, no genre-changing singles were released in 1983, and no follow-up LP in 1984. Run and D.M.C. faded into obscurity during these years. But that isn't to say that Hip-Hop never developed. It did, just differently.
***
Concluding Statement by the Author
Concluding Statement by the Author
If you've read this far, thanks! In this TL I'll be attempting to chronicle the history of Hip-Hop if Run-D.M.C. never released It's Like That/Sucker MCs. It'll be a hard job, but I'm hoping I'm up for it. As you're probably already guessing, Hip-Hop will take on an entirely different form, and have far different influences on the world. Unfortunately though, this TL is second-place to my "main" TL, Aigyptos Has Risen!, so updates to this will be less frequent. Also, I understand I'm covering a fairly niche subject with a great many more butterflies to consider, so research will be harder. For those of you reading this, a hearty thanks and a reminder that all forms of feedback are greatly appreciated and needed.
***
Footnotes:
[1]: "Jazzy Jase" Mizell, later known as "Jam-Master Jay" Mizell, would join Run-D.M.C. to be their DJ in 1982. His influence on the band's musical style was momentous, and as their DJ, he was responsible for their signature minimalist, drum-laden sound.
[2]: Mizell had a great influence on Joseph "Run" Simmons, and cemented Joseph "Run" Simmons' love for Hip-Hop. Mizell helped Simmons record and release his first song, Street Kid, which went completely unnoticed. But regardless, it can be argued that if this song had never been released, Simmons' enthusiasm for Hip-Hop would not have reached the point where Simmons made Hip-Hop his full-time job.
